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Future - Level 2

The document explains the use of 'will' and 'shall' in English, highlighting their application in making decisions, offers, promises, and requests. It distinguishes between 'will' for spontaneous decisions and 'going to' for pre-planned actions. Additionally, it covers the nuances of using 'shall' primarily in questions for suggestions or permissions.

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6 views

Future - Level 2

The document explains the use of 'will' and 'shall' in English, highlighting their application in making decisions, offers, promises, and requests. It distinguishes between 'will' for spontaneous decisions and 'going to' for pre-planned actions. Additionally, it covers the nuances of using 'shall' primarily in questions for suggestions or permissions.

Uploaded by

rikaelsa06
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit

21 will and shall 1


A We use I’ll … (= I will) when we’ve just decided to do something. When we say ‘I’ll do something’,
we announce our decision:
Oh, I left the door open. I’ll go and shut it.
‘What would you like to drink?’ ‘I’ll have orange juice, please.’
‘Did you call Max?’ ‘Oh no, I forgot. I’ll call him now.’
We do not use the present simple (I do / I go etc.) in these sentences:
I’ll phone him now. (not I phone him now)
We often use I think I’ll … / I don’t think I’ll … :
I’m a little hungry. I think I’ll have something to eat.
I don’t think I’ll go out tonight. I’m too tired.
In spoken English will not is usually won’t:
I can see you’re busy, so I won’t stay long. (= I will not stay long)

B We often use I’ll in these situations:

Offering to do something I’ll help you.


That bag looks heavy. I’ll help you with it. (not I help)
Agreeing to do something
a: Can you give Tom this book?
b: Sure, I’ll give it to him when I see him this afternoon.
Promising to do something
Thanks for lending me the money. I’ll pay you back on Friday.
I won’t tell anyone what happened. I promise.

The car won’t start.


We use won’t to say that somebody refuses to do something:
I’ve tried to give her advice, but she won’t listen.
The car won’t start. (= the car ‘refuses’ to start)
Will you (do something)? = please do it:
Will you please turn the music down? It’s too loud.

C We do not use will to talk about what has been decided or arranged before:
I’m going on holiday next Saturday. (not I’ll go)
Compare:
I’m meeting Kate tomorrow morning. (decided before)
a: I’ll meet you at half past ten, OK?
b: Fine. See you then. (decided now)

D We use shall mostly in the questions shall I … ? / shall we … ?


We use shall I … ? / shall we … ? to ask if it’s OK to do something or to ask for a suggestion:
Shall I open the window? (= do you want me to open it?)
I’ve got no money. What shall I do? (= what do you suggest?)
‘Shall we go?’ ‘Just a minute. I’m not ready yet.’
‘Where shall we have lunch?’ ‘Let’s go to Marino’s.’
Compare shall I … ? and will you … ? :
Shall I shut the door? (= do you want me to shut it?)
Will you shut the door? (= I want you to shut it)

I am doing (future) ➜ Unit 19 will and shall 2 ➜ Unit 22 I will and I’m going to ➜ Unit 23
42 American English ➜ Appendix 7
Unit
23 I will and I’m going to
A Future actions
Compare will and (be) going to:
Sarah is talking to Helen: will (We’ll invite …)

Let’s have a party. That’s a great idea. We use will (We’ll invite …) to announce a
We’ll invite lots of people. new decision. The party is a new idea.

decision
now

We’ll …

SARAH HELEN past now future

Later that day, Helen meets Max: (be) going to (We’re going to invite …)
Sarah and I have decided to have a party. We use (be) going to when we have
We’re going to invite lots of people. already decided to do something.
Helen had already decided to invite lots of
people before she spoke to Max.
decision
before

We’re going to …
HELEN MAX
past now future

Compare:
‘Gary has been trying to contact you.’ ‘Has he? OK, I’ll call him.’
‘Gary has been trying to contact you.’ ‘Yes, I know. I’m going to call him.’
‘Anna is in hospital.’ ‘Really? I didn’t know. I’ll go and visit her.’
‘Anna is in hospital.’ ‘Yes, I know. I’m going to visit her this evening.’

B Future happenings and situations (predicting the future)


We use both will and going to for future happenings and situations. So you can say:
I think the weather will be nice later. or
I think the weather is going to be nice later.
Those shoes are well-made. They’ll last a long time. or
Those shoes are well-made. They’re going to last a long time.
When we say something is going to happen, we believe this because of the situation now. What is
happening now shows that something is going to happen in the future. For example:
Look at those black clouds. It’s going to rain. (not it will rain)
(we can see that it is going to rain – the black clouds are in the sky now)
Compare:
We’re going to be late. The meeting starts in five minutes and it takes 15 minutes to get there.
(it is clear now that we don’t have enough time to get there)
Jane will be late for the meeting. She’s always late.
(I believe this because I know what Jane is like)

46 I’m going to ➜ Unit 20 will ➜ Units 21–22 The future ➜ Appendix 3

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